Since Emperor Qingbai was placed under house arrest, the Queen Mother of the West's annual Peach Banquet was approaching, and Jiuling Palace, as in previous years, received an invitation.
However, in previous years, Xuanlang represented Jiuling Palace at such events. This time, the invitation only bore her immortal name. The Queen Mother of the West insisted on summoning her personally.
Ye Ziling sat on the camphor tree, staring blankly at the invitation in her hand. She was already overwhelmed with matters concerning the Martial Arts Examination; how could she possibly manage affairs of the Heavenly Realm?
She squinted, put away the invitation, and instructed the disciple beside her, "Decline it. Let the Vice Palace Master handle it as she sees fit."
The disciple took a few steps forward, receiving the letter, and said with difficulty, "...Goddess, no... Palace Master, a messenger from the Heavenly Realm just conveyed that the Queen Mother of the West personally requested your presence and wishes to meet you."
Observing the disciple's hesitant movements and her ruby-red ears, Ye Ziling calmly said, "Go. Tell the Vice Palace Master to come to Weiyang Hall."
There was no point talking to these disciples; she needed Xuanlang to help. Although this person was always at odds with her, she was genuinely useful when it came to tasks.
"Yes."
The disciple bowed and retreated.
Ye Ziling noticed the disciples' attitude towards her over the past two days. Ever since they learned she was Goddess Tuyao, their demeanor had become exceedingly respectful. While they were previously hesitant, they hadn't stumbled over their words to this extent.
Even the old fox, Xuanlang, had become unusual. He used to have some backbone and scheme behind her back, but now he was polite even when speaking of her behind her back. She felt somewhat unaccustomed to it.
Ye Ziling flipped herself off the tree and walked into the courtyard. Xuanlang had just returned from outside and, upon seeing her, showed a surprised smile. "May I ask what business the Palace Master has with this subordinate?"
"In a couple of days, there's the Queen Mother of the West's Peach Banquet. You will represent me," Ye Ziling said leisurely, watching his fawning smile and instantly missing their days of opposition.
She pressed her brow, trying to interrupt this strange thought.
"This subordinate also wishes to share the Palace Master's burdens... but the invitation bears your name. I fear..." Xuanlang frowned, cautiously gauging her expression.
Ye Ziling waved her sleeve, her gaze calm. "Alright, you may go now."
"Yes," Xuanlang had taken two steps when he turned back, cupping his hands. "Palace Master, please do not hesitate to command this subordinate if you need anything."
"Very well, very well. With Commander Mu absent, I must trouble you to manage the palace affairs."
Xuanlang paused for a moment, a flicker of delight passing through his eyes. He then straightened his posture, cupped his hands, and retreated. "Yes."
The Martial Arts Examination required Mu Heng to monitor it. The truth about the fake Sun Moon Divine Lamp would surely be exposed, and the three major sects would investigate thoroughly. It was best to leave an informant.
A few days later.
Ye Ziling prepared the White Jade Dragon Boat and was about to depart when a phoenix-tailed sedan chair slowly flew towards her from the sky. The sedan curtains fluttered, and four iris-phoenixes with spread wings flew towards her, stopping in front of her.
A golden light flashed, transforming into four immortal maids, who all curtsied to her. "Greetings, Goddess."
"You are excused," Ye Ziling nodded slightly and gestured for them to rise. Without needing further explanation, she knew their purpose.
The Queen Mother of the West knew she was unwilling to attend the banquet, so she sent people to fetch her.
She had stabbed Qingbai with a sword, and now it was as if she were arresting a criminal. Moreover, Qingbai was not dead, so how could she give up?
"We are here by order of the Queen Mother of the West to escort the Goddess to the Heavenly Palace for the Peach Banquet," the immortal maid said respectfully with a smile.
Ye Ziling saw through her intentions and did not refuse, saying lightly, "Then let's go."
After all, she had to go to the Heavenly Palace anyway.
The phoenix sedan chair took flight, followed by the immortal maids, and soon they drifted away.
The scenery of the Heavenly Court was beautiful. The gardens were lush with flowers and trees, adorned with pavilions, towers, and jade palaces.
Seeing the immortal maids leading the way, Ye Ziling sensed something was amiss. She stopped, waved her hands, and signaled them to retreat. "You may go."
The immortal maids hesitated, exchanged glances, clenched their fists, and their faces fell. "This... This is a special instruction from the Queen Mother of the West for us to lead the way. Please do not make things difficult for us, Goddess."
Ye Ziling let out a soft laugh, as if she had heard a joke, and covered her lips. "Oh? Was it the Queen Mother of the West who instructed you, or someone else?"
When she saw the phoenix sedan chair just now, she had indeed thought it was the Queen Mother of the West. But then she realized it wasn't right. The Queen Mother of the West knew her temperament and wouldn't specially send immortal maids to escort her all the way.
Moreover, this was not the path to the Peach Banquet Hall, but a detour.
Having spent so many years in the Heavenly Realm, she was familiar with every flower, grass, and tree. How could she not recognize the paths in the Heavenly Palace?
"Goddess, please calm your anger... We are merely following orders."
A sinister smile gradually spread across Ye Ziling's eyes. "Following orders? Whose orders?"
In this Heavenly Realm, she only obeyed the Heavenly Emperor and the Queen Mother of the West. Who would dare to trouble her with no regard for their own life?
Was this ignorance or a death wish?
"Goddess, please calm your anger."
The immortal maids knelt down, their lowered foreheads beaded with cold sweat.
"Calm my anger?" Ye Ziling crouched down, her fairy skirt trailing on the ground. She pinched one of the maids' chins, forcing her to meet her gaze, and said mockingly, "You don't even dare reveal your name. Is your master playing hide-and-seek with me?"
Ye Ziling's hand slowly moved down, reaching her neck. With a sudden grip, she tightened her hold. Upon closer inspection, she realized the few immortal maids had no expressions at all; they were completely like mannequins.
Soon, the few immortal maids turned into a few talismans that drifted to the ground.
They were indeed fake!
-
Meanwhile, Ling Xi was also wandering in a garden.
"Valedictorian, please forgive me. This servant is also acting under orders..." The immortal maid knelt at Ling Xi's feet, trembling.
Ling Xi snapped off a thin willow branch beside him and held it in his hand. Using the willow as a sword, its radiance was like frost, flashing with a cold glint under the sunlight. Within a few moves, he had struck the immortal maid until her soul was scattered.
The few immortal maids turned into talismans and scattered on the ground.
"Fake?" Ling Xi retracted his sword and let out a cold laugh. He picked up the talismans on the ground and examined them carefully.
The talismans were precise. Few people could draw talismans to such a lifelike degree. They had managed to fool him all the way?
[System: Lord Ling, this is an illusion formation, not the Heavenly Palace. That immortal sedan chair intentionally flew into the vortex of the illusion, which was deliberately set up by someone!]
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" It made him waste time talking to fake people and walking for so long.
[System: I only just discovered it!]
Ling Xi stared at the almost flawless talismans, lightly tapped one with his finger, and the talismans instantly burned away.
He carefully rubbed the ashes and sniffed them. His eyes darkened. "Neither the texture nor the effect are those of talismans that a Celestial Examination candidate could draw."
The scenery within the illusion formation was identical to the Heavenly Palace. If this person was not familiar with the Heavenly Palace, it would be impossible to create such a realistic illusion formation.
Being skilled in talismans and familiar with the Heavenly Palace, there was only one person.
Bai Yu.
This person was exceptionally talented since childhood, proficient in beast taming, medicine, and cultivation techniques, but he only favored beast taming.
Bai Yu had intended to win the first valedictorian position in the Celestial Examination and smoothly advance to become a Heavenly Beast Tamer. Unexpectedly, Ling Xi snatched the spot. Furthermore, Ling Xi had won the valedictorian title but refused to take up the post, leading Bai Yu to believe he had been deliberately humiliated.
As a renowned genius of the Heavenly Realm, how could he tolerate such an insult from a mortal? Thus, he quietly recorded this debt.
Wasn't this his way of collecting?